BioPellets with Vodka Dosing - Your Thoughts

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by lorenz0

Whats the point? why not cut the bio-pellets and just go to vodka dosing?

That is the reason I am asking, maybe no point.

Reason I am thinking is because my bioload is very large, and I don't have enough room to add more pellets. The advantage of pellets over vodka, is that when in reactors, you don't have to add everyday. Basically with vodka, you have to be very regimated with it and can't miss dosages.

Don't get me wrong here, I am an advocate for the NP BioPellets, and if you saw my system before them, you would to. They have had a very positive impact to my system, and if I could add even more I would, just no room in my sump, unless you have ideas there instead.

Now in saying this, since I can't add more reactors, I was thinking will a 2-4 drops/daily of vodka aid the pellets and give more for the system to use? This is why I am asking.

This is just a thought, could be nonsense, the reason I am posting. I have also heard many doing both with great results also, but trying to find articles to base this on.

[globaldesigns]

Another idea I had:

In order to run more pellets, I am also maybe thinking of removing the 2 reactors and somehow using a salt pail to keep the pellets in. Research has shown that if you can run more in a bigger container (larger surface area) the bacterial growth is significant.

So in saying this, anyone have any ideas on how I could do this instead? I would rather just use the pellets. But need to figure out how to do it. A salt pail won't fit in my refuge, so maybe an external unit needs to be created. If something can be created here, I would entertain this thought over adding vodka.

I guess, what I am trying to say here, I want more carbon!!!! I prefer pellets, as they do have many more benefits to vodka, but room is a factor!

Any ideas?

[emerald crab]

I use pellets and keep dosing some sugar, that allows me fine tunnig.

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by emerald crab

I use pellets and keep dosing some sugar, that allows me fine tunnig.

I had my reactors out to clean, so I added another 1L of pellets between the 2 reactors. Lets see if that helps more.

Also, thanks for the comment... What kind of dosage do you give in relation to water volume? Is the sugar granular or made into a liquid?

[emerald crab]

I use a solution 50% by weight. I dose 1ml/day in 3 portions (1/3ml each) for a 90 gal system.

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by emerald crab

I use a solution 50% by weight. I dose 1ml/day in 3 portions (1/3ml each) for a 90 gal system.

May I ask why you choose sugar over vodka or vinegar? Just wondering as I no nothing about this form of dosing. thanks.

[emerald crab]

Sugar, vodka, vinegar or a mixture of them all work. When I first started dosing carbon, I did it with vodka. It didn't work right for me, I got lots of red slime so I switched to sugar and it worked for me.

[kien]

Interesting . The beauty of the pellets as you pointed out is that you don't have to touch them for a while. Certainly no daily chore. They certainly do reduce nitrates and phosphates but not with the same gusto as Zeo. It sounds like you are willing to put in a little more effort in the form of daily dosing chores in order to get better results. If that's the case then why not just ditch the pellets and Vodka/sugar/vinegar and go the zeo route? Seems to me that anyone willing and able to put up with the zeo chores should go that route.